This blog promises to reveal the inside track of a third sector leader influencing in Whitehall, championing professionalism and causing a stir.

Sir Stephen Bubb is CEO of Charity Futures, which promotes better charity governance and leadership. He was formerly Chief Executive of ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) until 2016.

His blog is part of the British Library’s national blog archive.

Monday, 17 December 2012

Pol Pot and policy

Governments tend towards the Pol Pot approach to policy making; ignore what the previous lot did and start again. Not always most helpful; and I felt a touch of this when I read Nick Hurd's otherwise helpful comments on a new approach to helping the state deliver better for third sector organisations wanting to deliver public services.A meeting this morning in Tufton St, more usually known as the supplier of Church furnishings and ephemera to the Higher end of the Church of England. Frances Maude MP and Nick Hurd MP meeting with key sector leaders.For some of us this has been a long journey. ACEVO has been advocating the role of our sector in delivering public services for over a decade. We know the barriers and the problems that stand in the way. What we need is Government to do something about them. So the first Third Sector Action Plan (author one Ed Miliband) set our bold ambitions and described the barriers. Then did little about them. Similarly the current Government set out their vision in "Open Public Services", a good White Paper but now hardly mentioned or referenced. Certainly this agenda is low down the action pile.

But nevertheless there is progress. The latest plans for reoffending will need a big role for third sector charities and social enterprises. And in health and social care it is simply not possible to deliver change without expanding our sector's role.So want needs to happen:* Progress on measures to provide a fair playing field for the sector to compete,

* Loans to enable us to access capital (there is no supply at present)

* A clear policy lead and determination form Government Ministers and civil servants to open up public services for more citizen and community focused approaches* Bold steps to ensure local government implement the rights in the Localism Act.* A general "right to choice" enshrined in legislation to ensure people have control over the public services they own and pay for.It's been a long haul but at least there is now much more acceptance of the rational behind the need for service delivery, and an acceptance of the need to end and promote it across our own sector. Progress. If slow.

Marvellous weather at weekend. So 2 visits to The Plough with the Hound!

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Sir Stephen Bubb

About me

Sir Stephen Bubb is globally recognised as a leading voice in philanthropy, charity governance and leadership and corporate social responsibility. He has provided strategic advice to governments and businesses, usually at Prime Minister, Minister, Mayor and Chairman level.

Sir Stephen has taken part in numerous national and global events speaking on civil society, business and government relations, including at the British Cabinet, G7/G8 summits, Seoul Governance Conference and international investment forums. He was formerly Chief Executive of ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) for 15 years, and Secretary General of the European Third Sector Leaders Network, which was founded through his passion and drive. He was the Chair of Britain's largest social investment organisation for a decade and oversaw investments of £400m.

He is now CEO of Charity Futures, which promotes NGOs’ governance and leadership. Stephen has received accolades for his work and leadership from former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron. He was knighted in 2011.